Jessica Lynn Nixon, Standout Field Hockey Player, Dies at 32

Jessica Lynn Nixon, 32, a Haddonfield native, died Friday of colon cancer.

Jessica graduated from Haddonfield Memorial High School in 1999 and The College of William & Mary in 2003. She was an outstanding field hockey player, a team captain in 1998 and 2002. During her time with the Bulldawgs, the team reached the New Jersey State Championships, was South Jersey Sectional Champions in 1997 and 1998, and she was also recognized as a Courier-Post Scholar Athlete. While playing for the Tribe, the team accomplished a ranking of 7th in the nation in 2001, and visited the NCAA tournament in both 2000 and 2002. At William & Mary Jessica was also a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Jessica had a passion for travel and loved planning her trips around the world. When not jet setting, Jessica was an avid runner and loved just about any physical activity. Most of all, she felt most comfortable and happy when spending time at the beach with her true love, Kevin and surrounded by her numerous friends and family. Since her diagnosis, she had been actively involved in the Colon Cancer Buddy system. She participated in Thomas Jefferson Hospital's “I Can” campaign, encouraging and inspiring others in their fight against cancer.

She was the daughter of Kathleen (nee Jorg) Nixon of Haddonfield and David Nixon (Linda) of Cary, NC; partner of Kevin Manning of Conshohocken, PA; sister of Ryan of Haddonfield and Cameron of Cary, NC; granddaughter of Evelyn Jorg and Mary Nixon; niece of Charlotte McGarry (Richard), Karen McCormack, Linda Kingston and Howard Nixon. Also survived by her cousins Megan, Kyle, David, Brock, Eric and John.